Ignition switch with electrically conductive leaf spring members and rotary cam operator

ABSTRACT

An electrical switch selectively controls an ignition circuit and accessory circuits of a motor vehicle. The electrical switch includes a rotatable member with radially extending side walls having cam surfaces formed thereon for operably actuating electrically conductive leaf spring members to individually open and close electrical circuits in response to positioning the rotatable member in predefined angular positions. The electrical switch can include both high current and low current leaf spring members in a single switch assembly capable of being assembled from one side.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electric ignition switch for motorvehicles located in a housing for rotatable movement between severalswitching positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electrical rotary switch of a type suitable for use in a road vehicleas a starter or ignition switch, was previously disclosed in publishedGerman Patent Application No. 42 33 520. The electrical rotary switchdisclosed in the German published patent has a central spindle with camelements that operate against movable contact carriers. Each carrier isretained by a coil spring and pivots about a support plate. The carrierhas contacts at the end and has projections that the cam engages. Thecenter spindle has slots engaged by spring loaded indent elements todefine the positions. This ignition switch is capable of controllingfunctions such as radio, charge monitoring lights, oil pressure, etc.The ignition switch disclosed has a simple design suitable for automatedproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable in the present invention to reduce the overalldimensions of the ignition switch according to the present invention andto reduce the cost of production. It is further desirable in the presentinvention to simplify the overall design of the ignition switch, whilereducing the number of elements to be assembled with respect to oneanother and by incorporating previously external actuating membersinternally within the ignition switch housing. In addition, it isdesirable in the present invention to replace the spring biased bridgespreviously used with electrically conductive leaf springs. It is furtherdesirable in the present invention to provide spring biased lockingmechanisms to hold the switch housing in place when installed in theignition switch casting. It is desirable in the present invention toprovide electrically conductive insert molded parts to further simplifyassembly and reduce costs. It has also been found desirable to useultrasonic welding of wires to the stationary side or end of theelectrically conductive leaf spring members to protect the leaf springmembers from detrimental changes due to high temperature produced duringsoldering operations which may result in weak leaf springs. The weakerleaf springs are a consequence of excessive heating and detrimentallyimpact the spring back tendency of the electrically conductive leafspring members. It has further been found desirable to make theelectrically conductive leaf spring members of beryllium copper (BeCu)material.

The present invention provides an ignition switch approximately half thesize of previously known ignition switches and builds the actuator gearinto the switch housing. By reducing the number of elements, the presentinvention eliminates tolerance build-ups that can lead to unsatisfactoryoperation of ignition switches. The present invention desirably replacesthree previously used parts, namely, the lobe follower, hinge point andcompression spring, with a single electrically conductive leaf springmember for each switched circuit. Furthermore, it is desirable in thepresent invention to provide an ignition switch that can be assembledfrom one side starting from the bottom cover with subsequent partsinstalled layer by layer until the top cover is assembled.

The present invention discloses an electrical switch including housingmeans having a first wall for supporting a first electrical contact anda first aperture extending through the first wall. Rotatable means isconnected to the housing means for rotation about a pivot axis extendinggenerally normal to the first wall. The rotatable means includes aradially extending wall opposing the first wall of the housing. Theradially extending wall has at least one arcuate, concentric cam surfacesector opposing the aperture in the first wall. Plunger means isengageable through the aperture in the first wall for slidably engagingthe cam surface with a first end and for moving a second endcorresponding to a contour of the cam surface as the cam surface moveswith respect to the first end when the rotatable means is rotated.Electrically conductive leaf spring means biases the plunger meanstoward the cam surface and selectively opens and closes an electricalcircuit by allowing selective electrical engagement of the leaf springmeans with the first contact in response to movement of the rotatablemeans. In the preferred configuration, the multi-function electricalignition switch according to the present invention provides for movementbetween at least four positions including a stop position, a startposition, a run position and an accessory position. Preferably, theignition switch according to the present invention provides forswitching both low current and high current connections selectivelybased on the position of the ignition switch.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art when the followingdescription of the best mode contemplated for practicing the inventionis read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an ignition switch according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a high current side of the ignition switch withthe top cover as illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 1 removed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the high current side of the ignition switchaccording to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2 with theelectrically conductive leaf spring means and top half of the housingmeans removed for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a low current side of the ignition switchaccording to the present invention with the bottom cover removed asillustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 1 for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the low current side of an ignition switchaccording to the present invention with the electrically conductive, lowcurrent leaf spring means and bottom half of the housing means removedfor clarity;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rotatable means with an actuatorgear sector around a portion of its periphery and with high current camsurfaces according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the rotatablemeans illustrated in FIG. 9 showing low current cam surfaces accordingto the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to an electrical rotary switch, generallydesignated as 10, particularly for use as an ignition switch in vehiclesfor controlling the starter, ignition and accessory functions. Referringnow to FIGS. 1 through 8, the electrical rotary ignition switch 10according to the present invention includes a first cover 12, or lowercover as illustrated in FIG. 1, to substantially enclose a firstelectrically conductive leaf spring means 14 with respect to a firstpart 16 of housing means 18. Preferably, the leaf spring means 14 isconstructed of electrically conductive, resiliently flexible material. Ametallic material such as beryllium copper (BeCu) has been foundsuitable for switching 35 amps of continuous power up to peaks ofapproximately 50 amps, as well as low amperage applications down to themilli-amp range. The first leaf spring means 14 can include at least oneelectrically conductive leaf spring member 20, and preferably aplurality of electrically conductive leaf spring members 20independently operable and flexible with respect to one another such asthe three leaf spring members 20 illustrated as part of the first leafspring means 14 in FIG. 1. Each leaf spring member 20 includes anelectrical contact 22 adjacent one end of the elongated leaf springmember 20. The opposite end of the elongated leaf spring member 20 isfixedly secured in place, so that the cantilevered electrical contact 22on each leaf spring member 20 can be flexed outwardly toward the firstcover 12 while simultaneously resiliently biased by the resiliency ofthe leaf spring member 20 toward its original position. Preferably, thefirst leaf spring means 14 is formed by injection molding plasticportions with respect to the electrically conductive leaf spring member20. A common support 24 is preferably molded at the one anchored end ofeach leaf spring member 20 for holding the one end of each leaf springmember 20 fixedly secured in a relative position with respect to oneanother and including apertures 26 for attachment to the housing means18. In addition, each leaf spring member 20 has at its opposite freecantilevered end an injection molded plastic pad 28 for operablyreceiving the driving force causing the leaf spring member 20 to flexoutwardly from its normal position, generally in a planar configurationoutwardly to a flexed position. As illustrated, each electrical contact22 is in a closed position when in the normal unflexed position relativeto the housing means 18 and is in an open position when flexed outwardlytoward the first cover 12 away from the housing means 18. Preferably thefirst electrically conductive leaf spring means 14 as illustrated inFIG. 1 is a low current leaf spring means 14 capable of controlling theenergization and deenergization of accessories and the like for thevehicle requiring current in the milli-amp range. The lower current leafspring members 20 can be differentiated with respect to high currentleaf spring members 118 by the reduced cross-section required forcarrying the lower current.

The housing means 18 includes a first part 16 and a second part 30 whichare separable from one another. The first part 16 of the housing means18 includes a first wall 32 for supporting at least one electricalcontact 34 as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The number of electricalcontacts 34 supported by the first wall 32 generally would correspond tothe number of leaf spring members 20 existing for the particularapplication. By way of illustration, and not limitation, the presentinvention will be disclosed with reference to a plurality of electricalcontacts 34, such as the three electrical contacts 34 illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4 and 5. At least one electrically conductive member or plate36 is connected to each electrical contact 34. Preferably, theelectrically conductive member 36 is injection molded as an insert intothe first part 16 of the housing means 18. Adjacent each electricalcontact 34, at least one aperture 38 extends through the first wall 32,such that the aperture 38 opens opposite from the pad 28 formed on theouter cantilevered end of the elongated leaf spring member 20corresponding to the respective electrical contact 34 and correspondingaperture 38. Plunger means 40 is provided extending through eachaperture 38 extending from the pad 28, or in contact with the pad 28,for actuating the flexing movement of the cantilevered end supportingthe electrical contact 22 corresponding to the electrical contact 34supported on the first wall of the first part 16 of the housing means18.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 5, the plunger means 40 includesa plurality of separate, individually reciprocal actuator plungers 42individually engaged within each aperture 38 formed in the first wall 32of the housing means 18. The first and second parts, 16 and 30respectively, of the housing means 18 are engageable with one another toform a substantially enclosed chamber therebetween. Extending inwardlywithin the chamber from the first wall 32 is a pivot support 44, a wavewasher 46 is disposed on the pivot support 44 between the first wall 32and rotatable means 48. The rotatable means 48 is connected to thehousing means 18 for at least limited angular rotating movement about apivot axis extending generally normal to the first wall 32. Therotatable means 48 includes a radially extending first side wall 50 asbest seen in FIGS. 8 and 10. The radially extending first side wall 50has at least one concentric cam surface 52 extending arcuately along atleast a sector of the rotatable means 48 and opposing the at least oneaperture 38 in the first wall 32. Preferably, a plurality of concentriccam surfaces 52 can be provided corresponding in number to the number ofapertures 38 and electrical contacts 34 and corresponding electricalcontacts 22 to be individually controlled by the electrical switch 10.As best seen in FIG. 10, each concentric cam surface 52 includes a rampportion 54 extending between a lower, or longitudinally inward surface56 and an upper, or longitudinally outward surface 58, such that as therotatable means 48 is rotated between angular positions, the plungermeans 40 engages the corresponding inward surface 56, ramp portion 54and outward surface 58. While the plunger means 40 is engaging the pad28 at one end and is opposite the inward surface 56 at another end, theelectrical contacts 22 and 34 are closed with respect to one anothercreating an energized circuit, and after passing the ramp portion 54,with one end of the plunger means 40 engaging the pad 28 and the otherend engaging the outer surface 58, the electrical contacts 22 and 34 arespaced from one another in an open position to deenergize an electricalcircuit. By appropriately positioning the ramp portions 54 between theinward surfaces 56 and outward surfaces 58 various electrical circuitscan be individually controlled independently of one another based on theangular position of the rotatable means 48.

Returning now again to FIG. 1, the rotatable means 48 preferablyincludes a generally cylindrical, disk-like member 60. The disk 60preferably has a plurality of gear teeth 62 formed along at least aportion of the periphery of the disk 60 for engagement with acorresponding gear member actuated by the key lock/ignition of the motorvehicle (not shown). Of course, other methods of actuating rotation ofthe disk member 60 can be provided. Along the other portion of theperiphery of the disk 60, a generally smooth longitudinally extendingsurface 64 is provided interrupted by a plurality of detents 66 fordefining various angular positions of rotation for the rotatable means48. The plurality of detents 66 correspond to an accessory detent 68, anignition off or stop detent 70, a run detent 72 and a start portion ordetent 74, best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8 through 10. The smoothlongitudinally extending surface 64 and detents 66 are engaged by aradially inwardly biased projection 76. The projection 76 is preferablyradially inwardly biased by a compression spring 78. The projection 76and spring 78 can be disposed within a radially outwardly extendingaperture 80 formed in the housing means 18 as best seen in FIGS. 6 and8. A torsion spring 82 is anchored to the housing means 18 at one endthrough aperture 84 formed in the first wall 32 best seen in FIG. 7,while the opposite end of the torsion spring 82 engages the rotatablemeans 48 to bias the rotatable means in a desired rotational direction,preferably corresponding to movement of the rotatable means 48 from thestart position to the run position when pressure is released from theignition key of the motor vehicle. Locking means 86 is provided forreleasably securing the housing means 18 with respect to the ignitionswitch casting (not shown). The locking means 86 preferably includesreciprocal locking members 88 disposed on opposite sides of the housingmeans 18 within respective slots 90 formed in the longitudinallyextending side wall thereof. The locking members 88 are spring biased ina locking direction by compression springs 92. The reciprocal lockingmembers 88 are engageable within slots formed within the ignition switchcasting for the motor vehicle (not shown), such castings beingconventional in the art.

The second part 30 of the housing means 18 can best be seen in FIG. 1,FIG. 2 and FIG. 6. The second part 30 is similar to the construction tothe first part 16 of the housing means 18. The second part 30 preferablyincludes a second wall 94 for supporting at least one electrical contact96. Preferably, a plurality of electrical contacts 96 can be providedfor individually controlling a plurality of electrical circuits. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the first part 16 is the low current side of thehousing means 18, while the second part 30 is the high current side ofthe housing means 18. At least one electrically conductive member orplate 98 is connected to each electrical contact 96. Preferably, theelectrically conductive member 98 is injection molded as an insert intothe second part 30 of the housing means 18. At least one aperture 100 isformed through the second-wall 94 adjacent to each electrical contact 96for through passage of plunger means 102. The plunger means 102 mayinclude elongated, individual actuator plungers 104 disposed within eachindividual aperture 100 for longitudinal reciprocation therethroughindependently of one another.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-6 and 9, the rotatable means 48 can include aradially extending second side wall 106 opposing the second wall 94 ofthe second part 30 of the housing means 18. Preferably, the second sidewall 106 includes at least on concentric cam surface 108. Preferably, aplurality of concentric cam surfaces 108 are provided corresponding tothe number of apertures 100 to the second wall 94 of the second part 30.Each cam surface 108 includes a ramp portion 110 extending between alower, or longitudinally inward surface 112 and an upper, orlongitudinally outward surface 114, such that the plunger means 102slidably engages the second side wall 106 of the rotatable means 48 andreciprocates in longitudinal direction in response to rotation of therotatable means 48 as it engages the inward surface 112, ramp portion110 and outward surface 114. The opposite end of each elongated,actuator plunger 104 engages a cantilevered free end of a secondelectrically conductive leaf spring means 116. The plunger means 102 issimilar to the plunger means 40 and is engageable through the apertures100 in the second wall 94 for slidably engaging the cam surface 108 witha first end and for moving a second end corresponding to a contour ofthe cam surface 108 as the cam surface 108 moves with respect to thefirst end of the plunger means 102 when the rotatable means 48 isrotated between different angular positions.

Preferably, the second electrically conductive leaf spring means 116includes at least one electrically conductive leaf spring member 118. Byway of illustration, and not limitation, the present invention isdisclosed with respect to three individual, independently operable leafspring members 118 for operably energizing and deenergizing high currentelectrical circuits capable of handling 35 amps of continuous currentwith peaks up to approximately 50 amps. Preferably, each leaf springmember 118 is formed of an electrically conductive material havingresilient flexibility for urging or biasing the plunger means 102 towardits respective cam surface 108. It has been found that a suitableelectrically conductive metallic material for the leaf spring members118 is beryllium copper (BeCu). Preferably, each leaf spring member 118is insert molded with a common support 120 for fixedly securing one endof each leaf spring member 118 while leaving the opposite end of eachleaf spring member 118 cantilevered for free flexing movement outwardlytoward a second cover 122. Preferably, each outer cantilevered end ofthe leaf spring member is insert molded with an injection molded plasticpad 124 for engaging the opposite end of its respective plunger means102. The common support 120 preferably includes apertures 126 alignedwith apertures 26 through the common support 24 of the first leaf springmeans 14 while passing through the first and second parts of the housingmeans 18 for assembling the electrical switch 10 in a final assemblywith fasteners (not shown).

When connecting wires from a wiring harness to the electrical switch 10of the present invention, it has been found that a suitable form ofconnection to the preferred beryllium copper material leaf springmembers is ultrasonic welding of wires to a stationary side or end ofthe leaf springs and to the outer ends of the electrically conductivemembers 56 and 98. This protects the beryllium copper leaf spring fromchanges due to high temperature, such as the high temperatures requiredfor soldering, which typically results in a weakened leaf spring afterheating to excessively high temperatures thereby detrimentally impactingthe spring back tendency desired in the electrically conductive leafspring means 14 and 116. Of course, it should be recognized that it isnot required to separate the high currency leaf spring members from thelow currency leaf spring members as illustrated, and if desired, the lowcurrent leaf spring members could be interposed in any desired fashionwith high currency leaf spring members, provided each electricallyconductive member is appropriately sized in cross-section for thecurrent to be handled. Further it should be understood that it is notnecessary to provide both high current leaf spring members and lowcurrent leaf spring members as disclosed in the preferred embodiment,rather, if desired for a particular application, a switch according tothe present invention could be configured with all high current leafspring members or all low current leaf spring members as required.However, the switch of the present invention is particularly welladapted for use in ignition systems of automotive vehicles where it isdesirable and necessary to individually control a plurality of highcurrent and low current circuits in a single switch housing assembly.

Another unique aspect of the present invention is the ability toassemble the electrical switch 10 according to the present inventionfrom one side, thereby building up the electrical switch in layers tosimplify the assembling process. In particular, according to the presentinvention, the electrical switch 10 is assembled in a manner similar tothat illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 1 starting with the lowerfirst cover 12 being positioned on a suitable fixture for assembly (notshown). The first leaf spring means 14 has the appropriate wiresconnected to the end terminals of the switch 10 and the appropriateterminal connectors attached to the wires. The first leaf spring means14 is then positioned with respect to the first cover 12 and positionedthereon. The first part 16 of the housing means 18 is then positionedwith respect to the first leaf spring means 14 to overlie the first leafspring means 14 with the apertures 38 disposed opening toward the pads28. The plunger means 40 are appropriately lubricated and insertedwithin-the apertures 38 having one end engaging respective pads 28 andopposite ends extending inwardly within the chamber formed by thehousing means 18. The wave spring washer 46 is lubricated prior to beingpositioned on the pivot support 44 and the rotatable means 48 ispositioned on the pivot support 44 with the wave spring washer 46disposed between the rotatable means 48 and the first wall 42.

The projection 76 and compression spring 78 are disposed within theradially outwardly extending aperture 80 to slidably engage therelatively smooth longitudinally extending surface 64 and correspondingplurality of detents 66 formed therein to provide predetermined angularpositions for the rotatable means 48. The locking means 86, includingreciprocal locking members 88 and compression springs 92 are insertedwithin the slots 90 formed in the first part 16 of the housing means 18.The torsion spring 82 is then inserted within the pivot support 44 withone end of the torsion spring extending through the aperture 84 in thefirst wall while the opposite end of the torsion spring 82 is engagedwith the rotatable means 48 and preloaded by rotation of the rotatablemeans 48 to a desired angular position creating a torsional preload onthe rotatable means 48 for normally urging the rotatable means 48 fromthe previously described start position toward the run position.

The second part 30 of the housing means 18 is then positioned withrespect to the first part 16 and is disposed overlying the first part 16to define a chamber substantially enclosing the rotatable means 48within the housing means 18. The plunger means 102 are appropriatelylubricated and inserted within the apertures 100 having one end restingon the radially extending second side wall of the rotatable means 48including the corresponding concentric cam surfaces 108. The second leafspring means 116 is then positioned with respect to the second part 30of the housing 18 and disposed thereon with the corresponding pads 124disposed on each outer cantilevered end of the individual leaf springends 118 disposed for engagement with the plunger means 102 andresiliently flexible in response to longitudinal reciprocation of theplunger means 102 as the plunger means 102 are driven reciprocallythrough the corresponding apertures 100 as the plunger means 102slidably engage the corresponding cam surfaces 108 in response torotation of the rotatable means 48. A second cover 122 is positionedover the second leaf spring means 116 and the entire assembly is securedwith respect to one another (not shown) extending through the apertures126 and 26 in the common supports 24 and 120 of the first and secondleaf spring means, 114 and 116 respectively, and the fasteners alsopassing through corresponding apertures formed in the first and secondparts, 16 and 30 of the housing means 18. As the rotatable means 48 isrotated about the pivot support 44 to the various predefined angularpositions defined by the plurality of detents 66, the predefined camsurfaces 52 and 108 formed on the radially extending first and secondside walls 50 and 106 independently and selectively actuate theindividual low current and high current leaf spring members 20 and 118to operably energize and deenergize the desired electrical circuits whenin various predefined angular positions.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical switch for selectively controllingan ignition circuit of a motor vehicle comprising:housing means having afirst wall for supporting at least one electrical contact and at leastone aperture extending through said first wall; rotatable meansconnected to said housing means for at least limited angular rotatingmovement about a pivot axis extending generally normal to said firstwall, said rotatable means including a radially extending wall opposingsaid first wall of said housing, said radially extending wall having atleast one concentric cam surface extending arcuately along at least asector of said rotatable means and opposing said at least one aperturein said first wall; free floating, plunger means engageable through saidat least one aperture in said first wall for slidably engaging said atleast one cam surface with a first end and for moving a second endcorresponding to a contour of said at least one cam surface as said camsurface moves with respect to said first end when said rotatable meansis rotated between angular positions; and electrically conductive,insert molded, leaf spring means connected to said housing means forbiasing said plunger means toward said at least one cam surface and forselectively opening and closing an electrical circuit by allowingselective electrical engagement of the leaf spring means with said atleast one contact in response to rotational movement of said rotatablemeans, said leaf spring means defining at least one high current switchoperable between an open position and a closed position, and at leastone low current switch operable between an open position and a closedposition, both high and low current switches responsive independently ofone another to movement of said plunger means as said rotatable means isrotated about said pivot axis.
 2. The electrical switch of claim 1further comprising:said housing means including a first housing memberand a second housing member, said first housing member having at leastone electrical conductor in communication with said first contactsupported on said first wall.
 3. The electrical switch of claim 2further comprising:said second housing member having a second wall forsupporting a second electrical contact and a second aperture extendingthrough said second wall, said second housing member having at least oneelectrical conductor in communication with said second contact supportedon said second wall.
 4. The electrical switch of claim 3 furthercomprising:said first and second housing members defining a chamberbetween said first and second walls substantially enclosing saidrotatable means.
 5. The electrical switch of claim 1 furthercomprising:said rotatable means including a generally circular diskhaving a plurality of gear teeth formed along at least a portion of aperiphery of said disk, said disk having first and second spaced,radially extending side walls.
 6. The electrical switch of claim 1further comprising:said rotatable means moveable between at least fourpositions including a run position, a start position, a stop positionand an accessory position.
 7. The electrical switch of claim 1 furthercomprising:said rotatable means including a generally smoothlongitudinally extending peripheral portion having a plurality ofradially inwardly extending detents formed therein; and spring biasedprojection means for engaging within said detents to definepredetermined angular positions for said rotatable means.
 8. Theelectrical switch of claim 1 further comprising:said plunger meansincluding at least one elongated plunger for actuating said leaf springmeans between said closed and open positions, one end of said plungerengageable with said cam surface on said rotatable means and an oppositeend of said plunger engageable with said leaf spring means.
 9. Theelectrical switch of claim 1 further comprising:said leaf spring meansincluding at least one low current leaf spring member and at least onehigh current leaf spring member for selectively and independentlyelectrically connecting at least one high current circuit and at leastone low current circuit in response to an angular position of saidrotatable means.
 10. The electrical switch of claim 1 furthercomprising:locking means for reciprocally sliding along opposite sidesof said housing means and biased in a locking direction for releasablyengaging with supporting structure of said motor vehicle to hold saidhousing means stationary with respect to said supporting structure ofsaid vehicle in operative engagement with said ignition circuit.
 11. Theelectrical switch of claim 1 further comprising:rotary biasing means forbiasing said rotatable means in an angular direction about said pivotaxis.
 12. The electrical switch of claim 1 further comprising:means forassembling said electrical switch including the steps of:supporting atleast one electrical contact from housing means having a first wall andat least one aperture extending through said first wall; connectingrotatable means to said housing means for at least limited angularrotating movement about a pivot axis extending generally normal to saidfirst wall, said rotatable means including a radially extending wallopposing said first wall of said housing, said radially extending wallhaving at least one concentric cam surface extending arcuately along atleast a sector of said rotatable means and opposing said at least oneaperture in said first wall; slidably engaging, free floating, plungermeans within said at least one aperture in said first wall with a firstend extending toward said at least one cam surface and a second end ofsaid plunger means moveable corresponding to a contour of said at leastone cam surface as said cam surface moves with respect to said first endwhen said rotatable means is rotated between angular positions; andbiasing said plunger means toward said at least one cam surface withelectrically conductive, insert molded, leaf spring means connected tosaid housing means, and selectively opening and closing an electricalcircuit by allowing selective electrical engagement of the leaf springmeans with said at least one contact in response to rotational movementof said rotatable means, said leaf spring means defining at least onehigh current switch operable between an open position and a closedposition, and at least one low current switch operable between an openposition and a closed position, both high and low current switchesresponsive independently of one another to movement of said plungermeans as said rotatable means is rotated about said pivot axis.
 13. Theelectrical switch of claim 1 assembled by a method comprising the stepsof:supporting at least one electrical contact from housing means havinga first wall and at least one aperture extending through said firstwall; connecting rotatable means to said housing means for at leastlimited angular rotating movement about a pivot axis extending generallynormal to said first wall, said rotatable means including a radiallyextending wall opposing said first wall of said housing, said radiallyextending wall having at least one concentric cam surface extendingarcuately along at least a sector of said rotatable means and opposingsaid at least one aperture in said first wall; slidably engaging plungermeans within said at least one aperture in said first wall with a firstend extending toward said at least one cam surface and a second end ofsaid plunger means moveable corresponding to a contour of said at leastone cam surface as said cam surface moves with respect to said first endwhen said rotatable means is rotated between angular positions; andbiasing said plunger means toward said at least one cam surface withelectrically conductive leaf spring means connected to said housingmeans, and selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit byallowing selective electrical engagement of the leaf spring means withsaid at least one contact in response to rotational movement of saidrotatable means.
 14. The electrical switch of claim 1 furthercomprising:said housing means having said first wall for supporting atleast one low current electrical contact, a second wall for supportingat least one high current electrical contact and at least one apertureextending though each of said first and second walls; and rotary meanshaving at least one concentric cam surface extending arcuately along atleast a sector of opposite radially extending first and second walls ofsaid rotatable means, wherein each of said cam surfaces opposes at leastone corresponding aperture formed in said respective first and secondwalls of said housing means.
 15. An electrical switch for selectivelycontrolling an ignition circuit of a motor vehicle comprising:a housinghaving first and second parts, each part having a plurality ofelectrically conductive contacts, said housing including a plurality ofapertures, one of said apertures adjacent each of said contacts, saidfirst part of said housing having a high current conductor connected toeach of said contacts supported thereon, and said second part having alow current conductor connected to each of said contacts supportedthereon; a plurality of elongated, electrically conductive, high currentleaf spring members, each high current leaf spring member fixedlyconnected at one end to said first part of said housing and freelymoveable at an opposite end, said opposite end including an electricallyconductive contact extending outwardly normal to said high current leafspring member, each of said contacts moveable with said respective highcurrent leaf spring member independently of one another between a closedposition and an open position for selectively energizing andde-energizing an electrical high current circuit; a plurality ofelongated, electrically conductive, low current leaf spring members,each low current leaf spring member fixedly connected at one end to saidsecond part of said housing and freely moveable at an opposite end, saidopposite end including an electrically conductive contact extendingoutwardly normal to said low current leaf spring member, each of saidcontacts moveable with said respective low current leaf spring memberindependently of one another between a closed position and an openposition for selectively energizing and de-energizing an electrical lowcurrent circuit; a rotatable member pivotally mounted between said firstand second parts of said housing about a pivot axis and having aplurality of cam surfaces formed in each radially extending side facethereof and opposing respective ones of said plurality of aperturesformed through said first and second parts of said housing saidrotatable member moveable about said pivot axis between a plurality ofangular positions; and a plurality of elongated actuator plungers, oneof said plungers disposed through each one of said respective pluralityof apertures in said first and second parts of said housing contactingrespective ones of said high and low current leaf spring membersrespectively at one end and contacting respective ones of said camsurfaces on an opposite end, each of said plungers biased toward saidrespective radially extending side wall of said rotatable member by saidrespective leaf spring member, each of said plungers moveable axially ina direction parallel to said pivot axis independently of one another inresponse to rotation of said rotatable member for moving said contact onsaid respective leaf spring member between said closed and openpositions.
 16. A method for assembling an electrical switch forselectively controlling an ignition circuit of a motor vehiclecomprising the steps of:supporting at least one electrical contact fromhousing means having a first wall and at least one aperture extendingthrough said first wall; connecting rotatable means to said housingmeans for at least limited angular rotating movement about a pivot axisextending generally normal to said first wall, said rotatable meansincluding a radially extending wall opposing said first wall of saidhousing, said radially extending wall having at least one concentric camsurface extending arcuately along at least a sector of said rotatablemeans and opposing said at least one aperture in said first wall;slidably engaging, free floating, plunger means within said at least oneaperture in said first wall with a first end extending toward said atleast one cam surface and a second end of said plunger means moveablecorresponding to a contour of said at least one cam surface as said camsurface moves with respect to said first end when said rotatable meansis rotated between angular positions; and biasing said plunger meanstoward said at least one cam surface with electrically conductive,insert molded, leaf spring means connected to said housing means, andselectively opening and closing an electrical circuit by allowingselective electrical engagement of the leaf spring means with said atleast one contact in response to rotational movement of said rotatablemeans said leaf spring means defining at least one high current switchoperable between an open position and a closed position, and at leastone low current switch operable between an open position and a closedposition, both high and low current switches responsive independently ofone another to movement of said plunger means as said rotatable means isrotated about said pivot axis.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising the steps of:assembling said electrical switch from one sideonly.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said one sided assembling stepfurther comprises the steps of:positioning a first cover; stacking saidelectrically conductive leaf spring means on top of said first cover;placing said housing means on top said leaf spring means with saidapertures aligned to open in opposition to free cantilevered end of saidleaf spring means; inserting said plunger means within each aperturethrough said housing means to engage one end of said plunger means withsaid free cantilevered end of said leaf spring means; and rotatablymounting said rotatable means to said housing means with said camsurface in engagement with an opposite end of said plunger means fordriving said leaf spring means between flexed and non-flexed positionsto open and close said electrical circuits in response to rotationalmovement of said rotatable means.
 19. A method for assembling anelectrical switch for selectively controlling an ignition circuit of amotor vehicle comprising the steps of:supporting at least one electricalcontact from housing means having a first wall and at least one apertureextending through said first wall; connecting rotatable means to saidhousing means for at least limited angular rotating movement about apivot axis extending generally normal to said first wall, said rotatablemeans including a radially extending wall opposing said first wall ofsaid housing, said radially extending wall having at least oneconcentric cam surface extending arcuately along at least a sector ofsaid rotatable means and opposing said at least one aperture in saidfirst wall; slidably engaging plunger means within said at least oneaperture in said first wall with a first end extending toward said atleast one cam surface and a second end of said plunger means moveablecorresponding to a contour of said at least one cam surface as said camsurface moves with respect to said first end when said rotatable meansis rotated between angular positions; biasing said plunger means towardsaid at least one cam surface with electrically conductive leaf springmeans connected to said housing means, and selectively opening andclosing an electrical circuit by allowing selective electricalengagement of the leaf spring means with said at least one contact inresponse to rotational movement of said rotatable means; assembling saidelectrical switch from one side only, wherein said one sided assemblingstep further comprises the steps of:positioning a first cover; stackingsaid electrically conductive leaf spring means on top of said firstcover; placing said housing means on top said leaf spring means withsaid apertures aligned to open in opposition to free cantilevered end ofsaid leaf spring means; inserting said plunger means within eachaperture through said housing means to engage one end of said plungermeans with said free cantilevered end of said leaf spring means;rotatably mounting said rotatable means to said housing means with saidcam surface in engagement with an opposite end of said plunger means fordriving said leaf spring means between flexed and non-flexed positionsto open and close said electrical circuits in response to rotationalmovement of said rotatable means; and inserting a spring biasedprojection into said housing means for engagement with a peripheral edgeof said rotatable means having detents formed therein to definepredetermined angular positions for said rotatable member.
 20. A methodfor assembling an electrical switch for selectively controlling anignition circuit of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:supportingat least one electrical contact from housing means having a first walland at least one aperture extending through said first wall; connectingrotatable means to said housing means for at least limited angularrotating movement about a pivot axis extending generally normal to saidfirst wall, said rotatable means including a radially extending wallopposing said first wall of said housing, said radially extending wallhaving at least one concentric cam surface extending arcuately along atleast a sector of said rotatable means and opposing said at least oneaperture in said first wall; slidably engaging plunger means within saidat least one aperture in said first wall with a first end extendingtoward said at least one cam surface and a second end of said plungermeans moveable corresponding to a contour of said at least one camsurface as said cam surface moves with respect to said first end whensaid rotatable means is rotated between angular positions; biasing saidplunger means toward said at least one cam surface with electricallyconductive leaf spring means connected to said housing means, andselectively opening and closing an electrical circuit by allowingselective electrical engagement of the leaf spring means with said atleast one contact in response to rotational movement of said rotatablemeans; assembling said electrical switch from one side only, whereinsaid one sided assembling step further comprises the stepsof:positioning a first cover; stacking said electrically conductive leafspring means on top of said first cover; placing said housing means ontop said leaf spring means with said apertures aligned to open inopposition to free cantilevered end of said leaf spring means; insertingsaid plunger means within each aperture through said housing means toengage one end of said plunger means with said free cantilevered end ofsaid leaf spring means; rotatably mounting said rotatable means to saidhousing means with said cam surface in engagement with an opposite endof said plunger means for driving said leaf spring means between flexedand non-flexed positions to open and close said electrical circuits inresponse to rotational movement of said rotatable means; placing asecond part of said housing means on top said rotatable means with atleast one aperture aligned to open in opposition to said at least onecam surface of said rotatable means; inserting additional plunger meanswithin each aperture through said housing means to engage one end ofeach of said plunger means with said free cantilevered end of each ofsaid leaf spring means; stacking a second electrically conductive leafspring means on top of said second part of said housing means with afree cantilevered end in engagement with opposite ends of said plungermeans for moving said second leaf spring means in response to rotationalmovement of said rotatable means; and positioning a second cover oversaid second electrically conductive leaf spring means.